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Victorian record falls in heatwave

Update Victoria has sweltered on its hottest November day on record, with the heatwave triggering grass fires in the state.

Mildura recorded a high of 45.4C at 3.18pm (AEDT) on Thursday, taking it past the record of 45C set in the city in November 1905.

Temperatures in Hopetoun were almost as high, with the mercury reaching 45C by the middle of the afternoon. In Melbourne, it reached 38.9C at 3.32pm.

Firefighters were out in force dealing with several grass fires, including one in Edenhope in the state’s far west that broke out in the morning and covered 12 hectares. The blaze was contained.

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In Locksley, north of Seymour in central Victoria, smoke spread across the Hume Freeway, leading to its southbound carriageway being closed. It started at 1pm and has now been contained.

There were also a blaze in Talbot, north of Ballarat, on Thursday afternoon which nine fire trucks and two aircraft were sent to deal with, according to the Country Fire Authority. Small fires also broke out in Picola and Minyip.

Total fire bans are in place in the Mallee and Wimmera districts, with farmers, particularly in the northwest of the state, warned of the extreme fire risk.

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Dean Stewart said a hot and sticky night was expected, with temperatures remaining in the 30s until the early hours of Friday.

Victorians have been warned to take care in the heat and stay well hydrated.

Ambulance Victoria said it had received 10 calls from people suffering from the heat by early Thursday afternoon.

‘‘In these extreme temperatures, the interior of a stationary vehicle, even when parked in the shade, can become a death trap, with temperatures skyrocketing to a lethal 60C within minutes, regardless of whether windows are left open,’’ said RACV road user behaviour manager Melinda Congiu.